?Chapter 436:


    Inside the mansion, An and Manley were sprawled on the living room couch, deep in conversation. Their jaws dropped when they saw the group.


    “Cole, where have you all been? You look like you’ve been through a war,” Manley asked, eyeing their messy appearance.


    Cole didn’t so much as nce in Manley’s direction, his expression stormy as he made his way upstairs alone.


    Manley stared after him, bewildered by his silent retreat. Once Cole disappeared upstairs, he turned to the others and asked, “What’s going on with him?”


    No one had an answer. Not a soul understood what was weighing on Cole’s mind.


    Elliana lingered for a moment in the entryway before quietly heading up the stairs after Cole.


    She had nned to head straight to their room and ask Cole what was going on, but just as she reached the door, a bodyguard stepped in her way. “Mr. Evans requested not to be disturbed. Please use another room.”


    Elliana blinked in disbelief. It was hard to believe that Cole wouldn’t even let her in. Not long ago, he always seemed to want her nearby. With no other choice, she slipped into the room next door.


    In the bathroom, Elliana stripped off her muddy clothes and let the hot water wash away the grime and exhaustion of the night. Freshly showered, she changed into clean clothes, ran a brush through her wig, and applied some makeup to maintain her disguise before stepping back out.


    She wanted to check on Cole, maybe invite him to eat with her. Her stomach was growling after the endless trek, and she figured he had to be just as exhausted and hungry.


    But when she reached his door again, the bodyguard was still there, blocking her path. “Mr. Evans said no one’s to disturb him unless he calls for them.”


    “Did he eat yet?” Elliana asked.


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    The guard shook his head. “Not yet.”


    Realizing Cole was skipping breakfast, Elliana headed downstairs alone with a sigh. She found Jason waiting in the dining room, sitting as if he’d been expecting her.


    Elliana didn’t say a word, just took a seat and helped herself to a piece of toast.


    “Elliana, do you realize how much trouble you caused Cole by following him to Podgend?” Jason asked, his irritationing through loud and clear.


    Elliana paused mid-bite and then leveled him with a calm, steady gaze.


    “What kind of trouble are you talking about?”


    Jason’s words cut through the morning air like a de. “You married Cole and transformed him into the family’s greatest embarrassment. Now you’ve recklessly followed him to Podgend, igniting fresh waves of condemnation.”


    The usation struck Elliana, and her brow furrowed deeply. The logic escaped her—how could apanying her husband on a business venture possibly warrant such fierce opposition?


    Jason studied her bewildered expression before pressing forward. “The Evans family sprawls across generations like a vast web. Ruben has seven brothers, each spawning their own dynasties. The inheritance flowed from him to Jarrett, and now rests with Cole…”


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